Snow Queen

 Eunice Akinola

Arden’s Children’s Theatre is presenting Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen on their main stage through January 26, 2020. The ensemble cast is very talented as every member plays multiple roles with the exception of   Eunice Akinola  and Daniel Ison who are limited to two apiece and Mary Fishburn who must maintain her regal presence in her titular role. Ms. Fishburne is an excellent Snow Queen who cares nothing for any of her subjects but only for her herself and the perfection of her own reflection. When a sliver of her mirror falls to the ground and lands in the eye of Gerda’s best friend Cei, (Daniel Ison) he turns from friendly to sullen and follows the siren song of the Snow Queen as she leads him away. This delightful tale is told with intermittent singing and  music backed up by a fiddle and flute. Gerda, played so convincingly by Eunice Akinola, is determined to rescue her best friend Cei. She sets out on her journey in the red boots her grandmother has given her with some vague idea that Cei and the Snow Queen have headed North. Special effects in this production are outstanding for children. Non-essential characters come to the stage with buckets of "snow" and heap it all over the stage. Other “snow” falls lightly from buckets above the cat walk. Gerda has fascinating exploits in the spring when she interacts with flowers and a white picket fence and children in the audience cheer when brilliant beach balls announce the arrival of summer. Traveling through each season with Gerda as she searches for her friend Cei is an enchanting adventure for children and adults alike. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1122 or visit online at www.ardentheatre.org or visit the Arden Box Office at 40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia Pa.